So this has been.my favorite song of OTEP's since it came out in 2004, and I always thought it was a song about a child's narrative of suffering in an abusive Christian home. But now that I am revisiting the lyrics, I am seeing something totally new.
This song could be gospel of John but from the perspective of Jesus.
Jesus was NOT having a good time up to and during the crucifixion. Everyone in the known world at the time looked to him with fear, admiration or disgust and he was constantly being asked questions. He spoke in "verses, prophesies and curses". He had made an enemy of the state, and believed the world was increasingly wicked and fallen from grace, or that he was in the "mouth of madness".
The spine of atlas is the structure that allows the titan to hold the world up. Jesus challenged the state and in doing so became a celebrated resistance figure. It also made him public enemy #1.
All of this happened simply because he was doing his thing, not because of any agenda he had or strategy.
And then he gets scourged (storm of thorns)
There are some plot holes here but I think it's an interesting interpretation.
A man named Gene's got a beautiful voice
He carries me home on his beautiful horse
And where she waits, I will ride ride ride
Come on stranger, just sing me a song
And if it's sad, I'll sing along-long-long,
I told you I knew every word
When I get to California
Gonna write my name in the sand
I'm gonna lay this body down
And watch the waves roll in
When the city spreads out
Just like a cut vein
Everybody drowns, sad and lonely
Well everybody drowns, sad and lonely
Well everybody drowns, sad and lonely alright
Sweet sweet dreams, and color and sound
Highways in the faraway to be found
I saw gold mines, in the sky sky sky
They were clouds just waiting to cry
And with the wind
I'm dancing drift drift drift
In the shapes of the place that I miss
And when I get to California
Gonna write my name in the sand
I'm gonna lay this body down
And watch the waves roll in
I'm gonna rest this weary head
On someone who I think will care
But when the stars in the sky start fallin'
I think you'll understand
That the city spreads out
Just like a cut vein
Everybody drowns, sad and lonely
Well everybody drowns, sad and lonely
Well everybody drowns, sad and lonely alright
Yeah I'm waiting
For something to give
Well I'm waiting
I hope it's not me
Yeah I'm waiting
For something to give
Yeah I'm waiting
He carries me home on his beautiful horse
And where she waits, I will ride ride ride
Come on stranger, just sing me a song
And if it's sad, I'll sing along-long-long,
I told you I knew every word
When I get to California
Gonna write my name in the sand
I'm gonna lay this body down
And watch the waves roll in
When the city spreads out
Just like a cut vein
Everybody drowns, sad and lonely
Well everybody drowns, sad and lonely
Well everybody drowns, sad and lonely alright
Sweet sweet dreams, and color and sound
Highways in the faraway to be found
I saw gold mines, in the sky sky sky
They were clouds just waiting to cry
And with the wind
I'm dancing drift drift drift
In the shapes of the place that I miss
And when I get to California
Gonna write my name in the sand
I'm gonna lay this body down
And watch the waves roll in
I'm gonna rest this weary head
On someone who I think will care
But when the stars in the sky start fallin'
I think you'll understand
That the city spreads out
Just like a cut vein
Everybody drowns, sad and lonely
Well everybody drowns, sad and lonely
Well everybody drowns, sad and lonely alright
Yeah I'm waiting
For something to give
Well I'm waiting
I hope it's not me
Yeah I'm waiting
For something to give
Yeah I'm waiting
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I've alway taken it as a song about suicide, and actually my favorite one at that (yes, more than Gloomy Sunday).